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T     H    E 


ANCIENT  TESTIMONY 


O  F     T  H  E 

People    called    O  u  a  k  e  r  s, 

REVIVED; 
BY  THE  ORDER  AND  APPROBATION 

OF     THE 

YEARLY    MEETING, 

Held  for  the  Provinces  of  P  e  n  n  s  y  l  v  a  n  i  a 
and  New-Jersey,   1722. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED      BY     JOSEPH      JAMES, 

M.DCC.LXXXVIIl, 


T     H     S^ 

ANCIENT    TESTIMONY 

OF        THE 

People    called  O^  u    a    k   e   x    s, 

REVIVED,     &c. 


t)  E  All    Friend  s, 

HAVING    lately   by    an   Introduction 
to  our  'Book  of  Diicipline,'  given  a  jntroduai- 
Ihort   Hint  how    our   refpc^Vive    Meetings,  «"• 
for  Church- Afi airs,  do  confill,   and  by  what 
Authority,   and  Example,  they  came  at  firfl: 
to  be  inflituted,  we  think  well  at  this  Time, 
for  the    further  Information,    and   Encou- 
ragement of  our  Youth,   and  others,  whofe 
Faces  are  turned    towards    Zion,  to    figni- 
fy,  that  by  living  Experience,  we  find,   and 
can  with  good  Confcience  declare  and  telli- 
fy,  that  the  fame  bleffed  holy  Spirit  which 
led  us  to  believe  and  receive  the  Dodirines  ^he  h  >;v 
and  Principles  of  Truth,    (as  they  were  de-  Spiriiieaa.^ 
clared  by  Chrifl:  and  his  Apoflles  in  the  ho-  orcTcr, 
ly  Scriptures)    did  and  now  doth,  lead  us 

O    2 


t     4      ] 

into   tlie  like   holy  Order  and  Government 
to  be  exercifdd  among  us,   as  it  was  amongjfl: 
the   primitive    Chriflians,    in    SancT:ification 
and  Holincrs. 
T-he  For  the   Church   of  God   is   a  Gathering 

wT^'^"  of  '  them  that  are   fan^ified^  by  the  Woixi 
aCoii,^.  pf  Truth,    '  called  to   be    Saints,'  who   are 
Members  of  the  Body,  even  the  true  Churchy 
whereof  Jefns  Cln-ifl  is  the  Head  ;  But  be- 
fore any  can  come  to  be  true  Members  of 
F'cry  Bap-  that  Body,  they  mud  witnefs  the  fiery  Bap- 
''^^"'         tifm  of  the  Holy  Ghofl:,  to  initiate  them  into 
this     true    Church  ;    and     as    they    follow 
:,iatjq,i8-  Chrifi,   in  the  Regeneration,  they  will  wit- 
nefs a  Purity  of  Living,   and  be  qualified   to 
pnaiificsto  '^^^  ^^^^  j'-^^^to^   ^^^  him,  wlio  ill  difpeuling 
-a  for       \i[^  i^oly  Spirit,   doth  in  his  infinite  Wifdom, 
miniller   unto    every    Member    a   Meafure 
The  Ope-   thereof    which  operates   diverlly  '    for    the, 
the  Spirit    edifying  of  thc  Body,  there  being  fome  A- 
diveriiy.     poftles,  fomc  Teachers,  fome  Paiiors,Mbme 
Elders,  young  Men  and  Babes  ;   for  all  are 
hp'.i.  4>      not  Apoftlcs,  Elders,   nor   Babes  ;    yet  all 
J  Cor.  12,  Vvdio   are  tridy  gathered  are  Members,   and 
^^'  as  ftich,  have  a  Senfe   and  Feeling  of;  the 

Life  of.tiie  Body  flowing  from  the  Head  Je- 
fiis  Cluiri:.  And  whiifl  they  remain  in,  tliat 
r.phy  4  2,  ^^^^-,  acting'  with  all  Lowlinefs,  Meeknefs, 
3.  '  '  '  and  Long-fufFering,  forbearhig  one  another 
in  Love,,  endeavouring  to  keep  the  Unity 
of  the  Spirit  in  the  Bond  of  Peace,'  they 
will  be  endued  with  right  Judgment,   fea- 


C    5    ] 

foned  with  pure  Charity,  and  perfect  Love, 
wliich  is  the  Bond  of  our  holy  Comhiunion, 
and  Church-Fellow  (hip. 

And  as  we  become  thus  initiated  and  qua-  The  Gry^ 
lified,    wc  (liall  he  enabled  to  maintain  the  ',fX!"'^ 
holy  Order  and  Government  above   menti-  chriiiian 
oned  in  perfed  Unity;     and  according   to  [;^'"J''^'^^*_*' 
the  Degree  of  Faithfulncfs  we  are  found  in,  fra  Unky. 
fhall  more  and  more  fee  '  the  holy  City  New  r^.faYcm  or 
Jcrufalem  coming  down  from  God  out   of  church  of 
rieaven,    prepared  as  a  Bride  adorned  for  Rcv.ai.*. 
her  Huiband,'  and  the  River  of  Water  <^f  ^heWaii 
Life  proceeding  out  of  the  Tlirone  of  God,  and  loun- 
and  of  tlie  Lamb  ;  which    City    being    the  f^^^^'^^f 
true  Church,     '  had  a  Wall  great  and  high,'  Wu  14. 
fignifying  tiie  Excellency   of  God's   Power 
cncompaffing    thofe    that     are    within    tliis 
(>lunxh,   and  keeping  out  all  that  would  in- 
\  ade  or  hurt  it  :    *  And  this  Wall  had  twelve 
Foundations,   and  on  tliem  the  Names  of  the 
twelve  Apof  ties  of  the  Lamb  ;'  wjiich  denotes 
tliat  the   Doctrines  of  the  Apoilles  are  to  be 
embraced,     and  thofe  that  are  not  founded 
upon  them  to  be  rejected  and  fliut    out    of 
this  holy   City  v/hich  had  but  one   Street, 
luid  that  is  the  ,Way  to  die  Tree  of  Life, 
wiiere  tlie  true    Members  of  tlie    Church  of 
Chriil    are   travelling  in   the   Unity  of  his 
hlefied  Spirit ;   and  i^o  they  become  *  of  one  a^s  1.3'. 
Heart,   and  of  one  Soul,'  as  the  Multitude 
of  them  that  believed  in  the  Apofllc's  Days 


[.'6     j 

were,  in  which  precious  Unity  we  fiiallfeel 
the  Life  of  Righteoufnefs. 
Glory  of         And  as  we  come  to  feel  this  Life,    and 
Juai  Dit'    therein  experience  the  Arifmgs  of  this  glo- 
penfation.   Hous  Day  of  Lov'C    and  Light,  with  the  In- 
creafe  of  this  bleifed  Unity,  we  (hall  more 
and  more  witnefs  the   Glory  of  this  fpiritual 
Rev. 21. 3.  Difpenfation,  by  knowing  God's  *  Taberna- 
cle with  us,'  and  his  Dwelling  in  us,  and  the 
peaceable  Governm.ent  of  the  Lamb  among- 
us  myllerioufly  fignif.ed  by  the  defcending 
of  this  holy  City  ;  and  as  we  abide  here,  we 
Rev.  21. 1.  ihall  with  'John  fee  no  more  Sea,  that  is,  we 
DuX^nin  ^"^    nc>t  degenerate    into   that    outragious 
the  Church  and   dividing  Principle  that  has   at  Times 
prevailed  in  fome  that  walked  amongfl  us  to 
fj'^;  ''•  manifefl  they    were  not  of  us;     but   fhall  ■ 
*  prefent  our  Bodies  a  living  Sacrifice,  holy^ 
acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  our  reafona- 
ble  Service,  and  not  to  be  conformed  to  this 
World,   but  transformed  by  the  renewing 
of  our  Mind,    proving  v/hat  is  that  good, 
acceptable,   and  perfecH;  W  ill  of  God/  and 
Ver,  3.      then  none  among  us   *  will  think  of  himfelf 
more  highly  than  he  ought ;    but  will  think 
foberly  according  as  God  hath  dealt  to  eve- 
ry Man  the  Meafure  of  Faith,' 
'-T  Hf         ^^^'  having  *   Gifts  difFei ing,'  as  faid  tiie^ 
icnng.       Apoftle,    ^  according   to  the  Grace  that  is 
given  to    us,  v^hether   Prophecy,  v/e  fhall^ 
prophefy    according   to    the  Proportion  o^ 
Faith,  or  Miniflry  we  (hali  wait  on  our  Mi- 


C     7      ] 

nifhy,  or  he  that  teacheth,  on  Teaching,  or 
he  that  exhoi-teth,  on  Exhortation,  he  that 
giveth,  will  do  it  with  Simplicity,  he  that 
ruleth,  with  Diligence,  he  that  flieweth 
Mercy,  with  Cheerfulnels  ;  our  Love  will  be  ^o"-  *»» 

*  v/ithout    Dillimulation,      abhorring     that  ^' 
which   is    evil,    cleaving   to   that   which  is 
good,    kindly   affedlionate  one  towards  an-yer.  ie» 
other  with  brotherly  Love,   in  Honour  pre- 
ferring one  another,  not  flotliful  in  Bufinefs,'  vcr.  m 
but  providing  I'hings  honeft  in  the  Sight  of 

all  Men,  and  yet  have  our  Minds  kept  above 
the  furf citing  Cares  of  the  World,  by  being 

*  fervent  in   Spirit,  ferving  the   Lord,  re- 
joicing  in    Hope,    patient    in    Tribulation,  — '«» 
continuing   inflant   in   Prayer,     diftributing  ^i^l 
to  the  Necelfity  of  Saints,   given  to  Hofpi- 
tality,  blefling  them  which  perfecute  us,  and 
not  curfe.' 

We  fliail  alfo  '  be  of  the  fame  Mind,  one  5^,.^^,! 
towards  another,  affeiSling  not  high  Things,  C"""- 
but   condefcending  to  Men  of  low  Eflate  ;  Rom.  ,j, 
not  wife  in  our  own  Conceits  ;   nor  recom-  ^6'  ^T' 
pence  to  any  Man  Evil  for  Evil,  or  Railing  ,  pet3, 9. 
for  Railing  ;  but  overcome  Evil  with  Good  ;  Rom  12, 
and  as  much  as  lieth  in  us,   live  peaceably  ^^- 

'  i-  J    ver,  21) 

with  all  Men,  having  the  fame  Love,  doing 
noticing  tliro'  Strife  or  vain  Glory,   but  in  phu.  2. 
Lowlinefs  of  Mind,  each  efleeming  the  other  ver  2, 3. 
better  than  themfelves  ;'  the  ftrongefl  and 
beft  gifted,'  not  defpifing  the  meaneft,  nor 
they  envying  the  flrongefl  5  but  all  in  their 


[     8     ]. 

Phil.  3i    refpecftive  Stations  and  Degrees  will  '  walfcj 

*^-  by  the  fame  iluic/  be  of  one  Accord,  '  and. 

mind  the  fame  Thing/  heartily  joining  tO:. 

^t^"'^y  ^"  maintain  Charity   in  all  its  Branches,    and: 

211  Its  ^  ■  . 

Branches  Carry  on  the  Aliairs  of  Truth  in  the  Lambr 
mabtain-  ^^^^  Spirit,  to  the  Honour  of  God  and  com-^ 
cd.  fort  one  of  another  in  him,    and  then  we 

fliall  dcmonflrate  that  we  experimentally 
Eph.  4, 4,  know  there  is  *  one  Body,  and  one  Spirit^ 
^'^'         one  Lord,  one  Faith,  one  Baptifm,  one  God 

and  Father  of  all,    who  is  above   all,    and 

thro'  all,   and  in  us  all.' 
Church  By  all   which,    it   is   manifeft   that    our 

Fdiowftip  Church-Fellowfhip   flands   in  the    Bond  of 

Charity  and  true  Unity  of  the  holy  Spirit, 
Eph.  5.  Q.  ^^  Fruit  whereof,  as  faith  the  Apoflle,  *  is 
The  Fiuit  in  all  Goodnefs,  Righteoufnefs  and  TlYuth, 
Spiaf.       Love,  Joy,  Peace,  Long-fuifering,  Gentle- 

nefs,  Faith,  Meeknefs,  Temperance,  againfl 
Gal.  5  22,  i'^ch  there  is  no  Law^ ;  for  tlie  Law^  is  fulfilled 
23-  '  in  one  Word,'  faith  the  fame  Apoftle,  *  even 
The '^'  this,  Thou  thalt  love  thy  Neighbour  as  thy- 
i^^^v  fulfil-  felf  •'  which  is  that  perfed:  Charity  we  fpeak 

of,  and  defire  all  may  come  unto,   and  be 

preferved  in  ;  fo  that  God  ('  v/ho  is  Love')' 

may  take  Dehght  in  us,  and  make  his  Abode 
Gal 5, 16,  with  us,  and  then  ftiall  we  *  walk  in  the 
'7-  Spirit,  and  not  fulfxl  the  Lufls  of  the  Flefli,- 

for  the  Flefli  lufbeth  againfl:  the  Spirit,  and 

the  Spirit  againR:  the  Fkii:i.' 
The  *  The  Works  of  the  FleHvare  manifeft' 

1^'\\X.    (faid  the  Apodle  Paul  to  the  Calatlam) 


C     9     ] 

^  which  are  thefe,    Adultery,    Fornication,  ^'='^- 5- ^9' 
Uncleannefs,        Laicivioufnefs,        Idolatry, 
Witchcraft,  Hatred,  Variance,  Emulations, 
Wrath,  Strife,   Seditions,    Kerelles,    Envy- 
iiigs.    Murders,     Drunkennefs,     Revelling 
and  fuch  like,  and  they  that  do  fuch  Things 
fliall   not    inherit    the    Kingdom    of  God.' 
And  the  fame   Apoftle,    v\-hen  he  wrote  to 
the  Churches  of  Rome,   Corinth,   Ephefus, 
and  ColoiTc,  teftifying  againft  the  like  Evils, 
and  againfl  'foolidi  Talking   and  Jefling,' ^p^'5»4> 
he    added,    that    *  no    Whoremonger,    nor 
unclean  Perfon,  npr  c6vetous  Man  who  is^°^3'5« 
an  Idolater,   hatli    any   Inheritance    in  the 
Kingdoin  of  Chrifh  and  of  God,  for  becaufe  ^p^*  ^'  ^* 
of  thefe  Things  cometh  the  Wrath  of  God 
upon  the  Children  of  Difobedience  :   Be  not 
therefore    (faid  he)    Partakers  with  them, 
and  have  no  Fellowfhip  with  the  unfruitful 
Works  of  Darknefs,    but    rather   reprove 
them.' 

And  the  fame   Apoftle   fpeaking   of  fome  fP^'  ^' 
'  who  were  paft  feeling,   had   given  them- 
felves    over   to  Lafcivioufnefs  to   work  all 
Uncleannefs  with  Greedinefs  :  But  ye,  (faid"**^' 
he  to  the  Believers)    have  not  fo  learned 
Chrift  :    If  fo  be,  that  ye  have  heard  him,  "~^'' 
and  have  been  taught  by  him  as  the  Truth 
is  in  Jefus  ;  that  ye  put  off  concerning  the~~^^' 
former  Converfation  the  old  Man  which  is 
corrupt,   according  to  deceitful  Lufts  ;  and"~23c 
be  renewed  in  the  Spirit  of  your  Mind  ;  and 


-3i> 


[       10       ] 

that  ye  put  on  the  New  Man,    which  after 

'~24>        God  is  created  in  Righteouihefs  and  true 

^25,        Holinefs  ;  wherefore  putting  away  Lying, 

fpeak  evei^  Man  Truth  with  his  Neighbour; 

for  we  are  Members  one  of  another  :*  And 

_26,        after  he  forbad  them  '  to  be  angry  and  give 

Place  to  the  Devil/  he  v/ould  have  them 

_5^^        that  *  ftole,  fteal  no  more/  and  that  *  no 

—28,        corrupt  Communication  (liould  proceed  out 

— 29»        ^^  their  Mouth  ;  but  that  which  is  good  to 

the  Ufe  of  edifying,    that  it  might  minifter 

Grace   to  the  Hearers,   and  that  all  Bitter-i 

nefs  and  Wrath,   and  Anger^   and  Clamour, 

and  Evil-fpeaking  ftiould  be  put  away  with; 

ail  Malice/  , 

And  the  ApoRle  having  teftified  againfl 
29.      '     thofe    *   who   were  full   of  Envy,  Murder 
Debate,    Deceit,     Mahgnity^    Whifperers, 
Backbiters,  Haters      of    God,   defpightful, 
proud,  Boailers,  Inventers   of  evilThings, 
difobeJient    to   Parents  ;    without    Under- 
vcr.  31.      ftanding,    Covenant-Breakers,    without  na- 
tural   AfFeiTtion,     implacable,     unmerciful, 
and  fuch  as  held  the  Truth  in  Unrighteoui- 
''"•'^-      nefs,'  he  faith,   *  Know  ye  not  that  the  un- 
iCor.6.    Hghteous  fliall  not  inherit  the  Kingdom  of 
-^9,  '       God  :  Be  not  deceived,  neither  Fornicators, 
nor  Idolaters,   nor  Adulterers,  nor  EfFemi- 
— *o,        nate,  nor  Abufers  of  themfelves  with  Man- 
kind,    nor    Thieves,     nor    Covetous,     nor 
Drunkards,  nor  Revilers,  nor  Extortioners, 
— ^»i        fhall  inherit  the  Kingdom  of  God  ;  and  fuch 

I 


Rom.  1, 


ver.  30. 


[     n     ] 

were  fome  of  you  ;  but  ye  are  wadied,  but 
ye  are  fan^lified,  bat  ye  are  jufti lied,  in  the 
Name  of  the  Lord  Jefas,  and  by  the  Spirit 
of  our  God.  'By  this  we  may  clearly  under- 
hand that  the  vilell  of  People.,  as  they  give 
Way  to  the  Power  and  Word  of  Truth,  may 
be  fancli-ied,  and  fo  become  Members  of  the 
Church  of  Chrill,  which  is  great  Encou- 
ragement for  all  to  fubmit  themfelves  to  the 
divine  holy  Hand  that  eads  them  to  Re- 
pentance and  x\mendment  of  Life . 

But  we  may  obferve,   that   notwithftand-  Apoftaies, 
ing  the  many  Cautions  and  repeated  Advice  oo!""'^* 
of  the  Apoflle,  yet  fome  in  their  Days,  as  2  rim.  2, 
in  our  Time,  who  profelFed  tlie  Truth,   and  [l^^^  g. 
feemed    in  Mcafure    redeemed  out    of  the  — 4'  »o. 
Evils  of  this  World,  fell  into  thefe  and  the  ^.•^"''''' 
like  Enormities  which  the  Apoflles  teftified  ^^^;^'^'^' 
againil  ;   and  fome  others  who  were   then  —12. 
gathered  into  the   Belief  of  the   Principles  ~~^'  '* 
and  Do&ines  of  the  Gofpel  of  Chrill,  fell 
from  thofe  Principles  as  fome  have  done  in 
our  Day  ;   in  which  Cafes  fuch  as  flood  firm 
in  the  Faith,  had   Power  by  the   Spirit  of 
God  (after  Chriflian  Endeavours  to  convince 
and  reclaim  thofe  Backfliders)    to  exclude 
them    from    our    fpiritual   Fellowfliip    and 
Communion,    as    alfo  the    Privileges    they 
had  as  Fellow-Members  ;  which  Power,  wc 
know   by  good  Experience,   continues  with 
us   in    carrying  on   the    Difcipline    of   the 
Church  in  the  Spirit  of  Meeknefs. 
P 


C        12       ] 

Power  in  Tliercforc,  we  fay,  as  our  Bretliren  have 
t^cal'fure!'  ^^^^etoforc  concludccl,  tliat  where  any  in  the 
Church  of  God  pretending  ("onfcience  or 
Revelation,  fhall  arife  to  teach  and  pratfti  e 
(however  infignificant  or  fmall  in  themielv  es) 
w^heth'er  Principles  or  Practice,  yet  if  they 
be  contrary  to  fuch  as  are  already  received 
a3  true/ and  confirmed  by  God's  Spirit  in 
the  Hearts  of  his  Saints  ;  and  that  the  in- 
troducing of  thefe  Things  tend  to  bring 
Reproacli  upon  the  Truth,  as  fuch  as  are 
not  edifying  in  themfelves,  and  lb  ilumble 
the  weak ;  thofc  who  have  a  true  and  right 
Difcerning,  may  in  and  by  the  Power  of 
God  authoriung  them  (and  no  otherwife) 
condemn  and  judge  fuch  Things  ;  and  their 
fo  doing  will  be  obligatoiy  upon  all  the 
?^embers  that  have  a  true  Senfe,  becaufe 
they  will  fee  it  to  be  fo,  and  fubmit  to  it. 
jTinf)vai-  Whatfoever  Innovation,  Difference,  or 
diverfe  Appearance,  whether  in  Doctrine  or 
Pratftice,  proceedeth  not  from  the  pure 
Moving  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  or  is  not  done 
out  of  pure  tendernefs  of  Confcience,  but 
either  from  that  which  being  puffed  up  af- 
fedleth  Singularity,  and  there-through 
would  be  obferved,  com.mended  and  exalte 
ted,  or  from  that  which  the  Malignity  of 
fomc  Humours  and  natural  Tl'empers, 
which  will  be  contradi(Sl:ing  without  Caufe, 
and  fecretly  begetting  Divifions,  Animofi^ 
ties  and  Emulations^   by   which  the  JJnity 


•or.s 


C    13    ] 

iind  unfeigned  Love  of  the  Brethren  is  lef^ 
iened  or  rent,  all  Things  proceeding  from 
this  Root  and  Spirit,  however  little  they 
may  be  fuppofed  to  be  of  themfelves,  are  to 
be  guarded  againft,  withflood  and  denied,  as 
hurtful  to  the  true  Church 's  Peace  and* 
Hindrance  of  the  Profperity   of  Truth. 

And  now  we  come  to  take  Notice  of  fome  t}  ings 
Things,  that  others  profeffing  Chriflianity,  f^'JZ'- 
deem  lawful,    which  are  not  fo  to  us,    as  fui.arenot 
fwearing   and   fighting,    or   going  to   War  sweVin's. 
when  required  by  lawful  authority.     The 
iirfl  we  teftify  againfl,   becaufe  it  is  contra- 
ry to  the  exprefs  Command  of  our  blelTed 
Saviour,  who  faid,  *  Sw^ear  not  at  all  ;'  and  -Mat,^. 34. 
the  Apoftle  James,   writing  to  the  twelve 
fcattered  Tribes,   who,   according  to  their 
Law,  were  to  *  fwear  by  the  Lord,  and  per- 
form their  Oaths  to  him,'  *  faith,  '  But  above  , 
all  Things,  my  Brethren,    fwear  not,   nei- '^'""^^' *"' 
ther  by  Heaven,   neither  by  the  Earth,  nor 
by  any  other  Oath  ;    but  let  your  Yea  be 
Yea,   and  ^^oiu-  Nay,  Nay,  left  you  fall  into 
Condemnation/     By  this  we  believe,  tiiat 
all  Oaths   commanded   or   allowed   by   the 
Mofaical  Law,  which  took  their  Beginning 
from  Want  of  Truth  and  Faithfulnefs,   as 
w^ell  as  the  Oaths  of  thofe  Times,  are  total- 
ly abrogated,  and  inflead  thereof  the  fpcak- 
ing  of  Truth  cflablifhcd  ;  and  v/e  are  great- 
ly thankful  to  God  that  our  Superiors  in 
Great  Britain  have  been  pleafedto  grant  Re- 


C     H    ] 

lief  and  Eafe  to  us  in  that  Point,  and  hope 
it  will  be  a  firm  and  renewed  Obligation 
upon  us  to  keep  peaceable,  faithful,  harm- 
iefs  and  honed  towards  all  the  Children  of 
Men  :  And  then  we  fhall  alTuredly  be  pre- 
ferved  out  of  thofeConteils,  Fallacies, Strife 
and  Perfidies,  againft  which  Oaths  were  at 
firfl:  introduced  as  a  Remedy,  and  are  flill 
alleged  to  be  a  Security. 

Admini-        And  fmce  w^e  muft  not   *  fwear   at  all,' 

ollhs  ^^^  cannot  adminifter  Oaths  to  others,  there- 
fore let  all  of  our  Community,  who  are  or 
may  be  concerned  as  Magiflrates,  be  tender 
of  God's  Honour  in  this  Matter. 

And  as  for  Wars  and  Fightings,  they  are 

w^rs.  altogether  unlawful  to  us,  becaufe  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift  (who  for  the  Ex- 

ifa.  9. 6.  cellency  of  his  government  is  called  '  the 
Printe  of  Peace')  in  his  bleffed  Sermon  up- 
on the  Mount  commanded  that  we  ihould 

Mat. 5, 44  '  ^^"^^  our  enemies/ 

And  the  Apoille  Paul  exhorts  not  to   '  a- 
Rom.        venge  our  fe Ives,'  but  *  if  our  Enemy  hun- 

~'9.'        g^^»  ^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^"^  5    ^^  ^^^  thirft,  give 

--^°'        him  Drink:'    But  it  is  evident,  that  War 

3.  °  '     '  teacheth  to  hate,  famifh  and  deflroy  them. 

The  fame  Apoflile  declares,  that  we  war  not 

Eph.6,12.  ^f^^^,  ^Yie  Flefii,  nor  '  wreflle  againfl  Flefh 

and  Blood  :'  But  outward  War  is  according 

to  the  Flefii,  and  againil:  Flefh  and  Blood, 

for  the  fhedding  of  the  one,   and  deflroying 

of  the  other.     The  fame  Apoflle  faith  fur-. 


[     15     3 

iher,  'The  Weapons  of  our  %V^rfare  are  2  Ccr.  : 
not  carnal,  but  mighty  thro'  Cod  ;'  lb  are  4- 
not  the  Weapons  of  outward  Warfare  ;  and 
the  Apoftle  James  teiliiies,  tlia^:  '  W:ars  and  J'^"-  ^'  '• 
Fightings  come  from  Lufts,'  and  thofe  Luits 
war  in  the  Members  of  carnal  Men  :  Eut 
fuch  as  have  crucified  the  Flefli  with  its  Af- 
fections and  Lufts,  cannot  indulge  them  by 
waging  War  ;  nor  can  the  .Servants  of  Chrilt: 
fight,  becaufe  his  '  Kingdom  is  not  of  this  >''"• '^^ 
W^orid/  So  that  when  Peitr  ufed  the  Sword, 
his  Lord  and  Maikr  reproved  him,  faying, 
'  V\\z  up  again  tliy  Sv/oixl  into  liis  Place,  for 
ail  they  that  take  up  the  Sword,  fhall  perifh 
with  the  Sword.'  W^e  are  not  v/ithoutforrow- 
ful  Inflances  of  foms  that  iiave  been  educat- 
ed in  the  peaceable  Principles  here  aiferted  ; 
and  yet  became  fo  far  degenerated  from 
it  as  to  ufe  the  Sv^ord  ;  and  the^/  per- 
iflied  by  the  Sv/ord  ;  which  is  here  men- 
tioned only  as  a  Warning  to  thofe  who  bv 
purfaing  the  Vanity  of  their  Pvlinds,  niav 
happen  to  firay  out  of  the  pure  Path  of 
Peace,  and  fall  into  the  like  Inconveniences. 

By  all  v/hich  it  may   appear,  that  Jefus  chrifi's 
Chriil:  the   Captain   of  onV  Salvation    calls  ^'"''^'^'■* 
thofe  that  lift  themfelves  under  his  Banne-/, 
to  bear  hi;   Crofs,    and  abide  in  Humility, 
Patience,  Simplicity  and  true   Cliarity,   and  A-aimi 
not  any  Ways  indulge  the  leafl  Thought  of  Kum"f2, 
Ilevcnp-e,    or  '  rendrino-  Evil  for  Evil,   or  ^r- 
Railing  for  Railhig  ;'  much  leis  endeavour  9/^ '  "' 

P  2 


[      16     ] 

to  adv^ance  themfelvcs  by  the  fraudulent 
Stratagems  of  War  ;  but  fufi^er  true  Love 
to  take  Place  of  W^rath,  and  Forgivenefs  to 
overcome  Injury  and  Revenge  ;  fo  the 
Lamb  will  be  preferved  before  the  Lion, and 
^  the  Lion  /  refignto,  and  *  lie  down  with 
the  Lamb/ 

And  altho'   thefe  Teflimonies   of  Chrift 
and  his  Apofdes  are  fo   clear  againfl  Wars 
and  Fightings,  yet  our  elder  Brcthi'en  and 
s  ifferir.as   fome  of  US  formerly,  fuffered  much  becaufe 
•f  Fiicr.Js.  ^g  could  not  omTelves  bear  Arms,  nor  fend 
others  in  our  Places,  nor  pay  for  buying 
of  Drums  and  other  military  Attire,   as  alfo 
for  not  obierving  thofe   Days  which  were 
appointed  to  crave  a  blelTing  for  Succefs  to 
the  A-rms  of  the  Nation  where  we  lived,  or 
to   give  Thanks  for  the   Victories  acquired 
by  the  EfFuiion  of  much  Blood. 
ri>tterin-        Thcrc  arc  other  Things,  as  giving  flatter- 
rules,   °   incr Titles,   uncoverino-thc  Flead,  and  crino;- 
^o%vin-3,    1^^^  ^^  Men,   calling  the  Days,   and  Months 
by  the  Heathen  Names,   and  drinking  one 
to    another,    drinking    Healths,    Riotings, 
Gsmes,      Bauquetings,     and     uflng     Games,   Sports, 
Fla^/s,    Ftevels,    Comedies,    and   fuch   like 
(vv'hich  many  of  the  ProfeiTors  of  Chrilliani- 
ty  allow)  are  not  at  all  lawful  to  us,   becaufe 
they  not  only  wafte  that  Time  which  is  but 
lent  us,   and  fiiould  be  fpent  to  the  Honour 
of  God,  but  alfo  naturally  draw  Men  from 
God's  Fear ;  and  v/e  know  the  Tcflimony  of 


tVc. 


[      17     ] 

the  Spirit  of  Truth  is  againft  them,  and  the 
inward  Conviclions  of  Light  and  Grace  in 
OLir  own  Hearts,,  have  prevailed  upon  us  to 
lay  them  afide. 

And  fome  called  Chriftians  about  the  firfl sporu  ite. 
coming  forth  of  our  Friends,  encouraged 
People  to  go  from  tlieir  W  or  (hips  to  Gam- 
I    ing,    Sportings,.    Mufick,  Dancing,   'Wrefl- 
ling^  runnin'^  of  Races,   and  the  like,  count- 
ing it   not  Inconfiflent  with  Pveligion  fo  to 
do,  which  was  fo  abominable  in  the  Sight 
of  God,  that  he  was  pleafed  to  raife  a  holy 
Zeal  in  our  elder  Brethren  againft  thofe  un- 
godly    Practices,     and      againfl:      drinking  Drinking 
Healths,  Banquettings   and  riotous  Living,  HeaUh^ 
v/hich  not  only  piovoke  People  to  excefs  of 
Eating,   Drinking,  Laughter,  foolifli  Talk- 
ing, Jefling,   and  fuch  like  Things  that  are 
linful^  and  in  no  v/ife  becoming  the  Solidity, 
Gravity  and  Sobriety  which  Men  p'ofeiFing 
Chriftianity  ought  to  be  adorned  with  ;   but 
it  is  Obvious,  that  fuch  as  run  into  thofe 
Exceifes,   bring    a   Scorn   and  Slight   upon 
their  Profellion,  to  the  Grief  of  the  honefl 
hearted,     and   not    only   fo,    but   they   lay 
themfelves  open  to  commit  all  fuch  Vices  as 
the  Devil  may  tempt  them  to. 

And    our  conflant  Teftimony  has  been,  Scripture 
and  is  againft  faying  You  to  a  (ingle  Perfon,  ^^"S"*^^- 
not  only  becauie  it  is  contrary  to  the  true 
Propriety  of  Speech  and  Scripture  Language ; 
but  it  gratifies  that  proud  Hamuji-YikQ  Spirit  An osaucc. 


[     I8     J 

\vhicli  poiTeffes  the  Heart  of  fuch  who  would 
arrogate  to  themrelves  the  Homage  and 
Reverence  due  to  God,  requh^ing  to  be  ad- 
dreUed  in  ilich  Language  as  they  judge  more 
honourable  than  that  which  they  beflow 
upon  the  Ahnighty. 

And  becaufe  our  ancient  Friends  and  El- 
ders in  the  Truth  could  not  join  with  that 
Spirit,  they  fuffered  deeply  for  their  inno- 
cent Teltimony  againfl  it,  and  yet  upon  all 
Occaiions  fliewed  the  decent  llefpecl  due  to 
Men,  and  maintained  in  the  Wifdom  of  God, 
the  true  Honour  and  Obedience  due  from 
Subjects  to  their  Prince,  Inferiors  to  Supe- 
riors, from  Children  to  Parents,  and  Ser- 
vants to  Mailers,  whereby  the  mutual  Rela- 
tions betwixt  thofe  different  Ranks  and 
Degrees  of  Men  have  been  and  are  afferted, 
and  endeavoured  to  be  elTiabiifhed  after  the 
Pvlanner  our  Saviour  and  his  Apoilles  were 
pleafed  to  direct. 

Now  before  we  go  further,  we  think 
proper  to  give  fome  Accounts  of  our  Prin- 
ciples and  Pra<f>ices  concerning  thofe  mutu- 
al Pi.elations  or  Ranks  of  Men.  And  nrfi:  of 
Kings,  Rulers,  and  Magiilrates,  as  it  is  our 
Belief,  that  the  Povrers  and  Government 
we  live  under  are  of  the  Lord,  fo  v/e  ac- 
knowledge that  Fidelity  and  Subjed:ion  is 
due  to  thofe  who  are  in  Authority  over  us, 
expeding  only  the  Benefit  of  thefe  good 
Laws  v/hich  are  deemed  our  Birthright  as 


[     19     ] 

EnglijfJj  vSubjecfis,  and  not  the  Frote<n:ion  by 
Gun   and   Sword   which   others   make    the 
Terms  of  their  Allegiance  ;r.nd  we  faitliful- 
\y  own,  that  Magiilracy  is  an  Ordinance  o^  rq^'^"^^ 
God,  and  '  thoie  who  rule  well  are  wortliy  2. 
of  double  Honoui'/  and  deferve  to  be  really  \-']^^'  ^' 
valued  and  much  efteemed,   not  by  giving 
them  vain  Appellations  or  flattering  Titles, 
nor  by  bowing  the  Body,  or  uncovering  the 
Head,   nor  by  feigned  Words  called  Com- 
pliments,    but    by    obeying   their  juft   and 
lawful  Commands,  wherein  the  true  Honour 
and    Subjection    due  to  them   doth  chiefly 
confifl. 

And  it    has    been,     and  is   our   frequent  Suppiica- 
Concern,   according  to  the  piu-e  Leadingsand  K?:"gs,°i«. 
Ditlates  of  God's  holy  Spirit,  in  our  neareft 
Approaches  to  the  Throne  of  his  Grace,  to 
make    '   Supplication,  Prayer,  Intercellion,  1  Tim.  2. 
and  giving  of   Thanks  for  Kings,   and  all  *' 
that  are  in  Authority:'     And  we  have  not 
been  wanting  in  our  refpedlive  Places  and 
Stations,    to  put  People    in   Mind,     as   the 
Apoftle  exhorted,  to  be  '  fubje*fl    to   Prin-xit.  3.  t. 
cipalities  and  Powers,   to  obey  Magiflrates, 
and  fubmit  to  every  Ordinance  of  Man  for  ^  Pct.  b. 
the  Lord's  Sake,  whether  it  be  to  the  King  ^3.  »4- 
as  fupreme,  or  unto  Governors  as  unto  them 
that  are  fent  by  him  for  the  Punillimcnt  of 
Evil-Doers,and  Fraife  of  them  that  do  well;' 
for  fo  the  Magiflrates  '  are  Minifters  of  God  Rom.  13. 
to  us  for  Good,  bearing  not  the  Sword  in  ^' 


C       20       ] 

vain,  being  Revengers  tO'  execute  VVfath 
upon  him  that  doth  Evil ;'    and   for    this 
Caufe  pay  we  Tribute  alfo,    for  they  are 
God's   Minifters   attending   continually  on 
tiiis  very  Thing. 
Laws  a-        Yct  v/lieii  Laws  and  Statutes  were  made, 
A^i'^nce^""'  req^^i^ii'^g  certain  Conformities  which   for 
G.  F.  II.   Confcience  Sake  could  not  be  comply'd  witb 
^^'-  by  our  faithful  Friends,   fome  Magiftrates, 

inflead  of  the  Sword  of  Juflice,  took  up  the 
Sword  of  i^erfecution  againfl:  them  :   never- 
thelefs  they  did  not  rehfr,  but  patiently  fuf-- 
fered  the  fpoiling  of  their  Goods,   grievous 
Imprifonments,   Scourging  and  Banifhment 
from  tlieir  tender   Families,    Friends  and 
Relations,   chooling,   as    the  holy  Apoftles 
Aas5. 29.  did  in  the  like  Cafe,    *  to  obey  God  rather 
*■  ^°'        than  Men  /  for  they  could  not    *    but  {peak 
the  Things  which  they  had  feen  and  heard  '/ 
and  for  all  tiiis  cruel  Ufage  and  Sufferings, 
Mathew22  they  paid  their  Taxes  and  Tributes,    *  ren- 
dering to  Cefar  the  Things  which  were  his, 
and  to  God  the  Things  that  were  his  '  for 
i  Pet. 2. 15  ^^  ^2.5  '  the  Will  of  God,  that  with  well 
doing,  they  fiiould  put  to  Silence  the  Igno- 
cance  of  foolifli  Men/ 
Dminguifti      And  here  it  is  ncceflary  to  diflinguifli  be- 
Las?.^""    tween  the  Laws  or  Statutes  which  occafion- 
1  Tim  I    e^  thofe  Suiferings,  and  the  Latv,  which  the 
'  ^'         Apoflle  faid,    ^    is  good  if  a  Man  ufe  it  law- 
fully,  knowing  this,  that   the  Law  is  not 
v^xxd^  for  the  Righteous  Man,  but  for  the 


( 


C    21    ] 

lawlefs  and  difobedient,  for  the  Ungodly 
and  for  Sinners,  for  unholy  and  profane, 
for  Murderers  of  Fathers,  and  Murderers  of 
Mothers,  for  Man-ilayers,  for  Whoremon- 
gers, for  them  that  defile  themfelves  with 
Mankind,  for  Man-flealers,  for  Liars,  for 
{perjured  i^erfons,  and  for  any  other  Thing 
Itiiat  is  contrary  to  found  Doctrine.' 

Dear  Friends! 

It   is    evident,   that   it  was    defigned   by  i  Tit.  i, 
thofe  Statutes,   not  only  to  brino;  all  to  one  .\°-.. 
Form  of  Worfhip  contrived  by  human  In-ofWorOup 
vention  ;  but  alCo  to  eftablifh  a  Miniftry  and  ;°,';X':; 
Minifters    called    and  ordained    by    Men,     k.    ^* 
*'  many  of  whom  judged  the  Life,  Grace  H'^'^g. 
^ '  and  Spirit  of  God  no  eflTcntial  Part  of  their 
^-  MiniRry,   nor  any  necelTary  Oiialification 
'    of  tjieir  Minifbers,   which   Judgment  of 
I*'  theirs  being  againft  the  Law  of  the  Spirit 
'*'  of  Life,  and  the  divine  Infiitution  of  oiu* 
''  Saviour's  Spiritual  Worfhip,   mud  needs 
'    be  contrary  to  found  Dodtrine/' 

Neverthelefs  to  uphold  their  human  Mi-  ProviHon 
jiiilry,  ample  Provifion  v/as  made  for  Main-  ft^rs.  '" ' 
tenance  of  their  Minifliers  ;   and  to  extort  it 
from  fuch  as  could  not  for  Confcience-fake, 
pwn,  hear,  or  receive  their  Miniftry.     But 
^yhen   it   pleafed    God  to   difcover  to  our 
Friends  and  Elders,  that  *  they  who  worfliip  J''^"  4- 
the  Father,  nmft  worfhip  him  in  Spirit  and  ^^'  ^^' 
in   Truth/    and  be  brought  to  true   Ui^i- 


1   Pet 

10.   i: 


[    22    ] 

ty  thcrepf,  and  not  into   a  mecr  outward 
Confoniiity,  they  were  foon  led  to  embrace 
TJiefree     thc  antient,   holy,   living  and  free  Miniftry, 
^^'"'^^'y-    which  at  the  breaking  forth  of  this  Day  and 
Difpenfation  of  the  New   Covenant,    was 
plentifully  beflov/ed   upon  Men  and   "Wo- 
men, who  (iiaving  received  the  true  Know- 
ledge  of  Things  Spiritual,     and   being  in 
Me afure  purified  and  fancSiiified)  were  called, 
moved,   and  ordained  to  Minilier  by  the  in- 
1  John  2.  ward  Power  and  Virtue   of  the   V^'^ord   of 
20,27.      Life,   feeling  a  peculiar   Unclion   from  the 
Holy  One,    to   prepare  and  fupply  them  in 
the  V\''ork  of  this  Miniilry.  x\nd  ^  as  every  j 
one  hath  received  the  Gif!:,  even  fo  they  mi- 
niflered  one  to  another  as  good  Stewards  of 
the  manifold   Grace    of    God ;    approving 
themfelves  in  much  Patience,   in  Aiiliftions, 
c  Cor.  6.  in  Necellity,   in  Diftrefs,  in  Stripes,  in  Im- 
4'  5>         prifonments,'  Sec.  and  as  they  freely  receiv- 
ed, they  freely  gave,  feeking  the  Salvation 
■i  Cor.  9.   Qf  Souls,  and  keeping  '  the  Goipel  without  j 
Atis  2c.    Charge  ;  coveting  no  Man's  Silver,  Gold,  or 
Apparel/     And  this  pure,  free  and  living 
Miniftry  of  the  Word  does  in  a  good  Degree 
(thro'  the  great  loving  kindnefs  of  God) 
continue  amongft  us  hitherto. 

But  thofe  Minifters  ordained  by  Men  are 
ordained  of  a  coutrary  Difpontion  ;  '  for  they  preach 
^[j^^^''"„  for  Hire,  and  divine  for  Money,  and  look 
11.  for  their  Gain  from  their  Oiiarter,  andpre- 

Mx^a"  5!'  P3-re  War  againft  fuch  as  put  not  into  their 


33 


Minifters 


C     "3     ] 

Mouths  ;'  and  fo  they  have  always  done. 
And  becaufe  bur  Friends  could  not  in  good 
Conicience  contribute  to  fupport  their  faUe  c.  f.  ii. 
Miniflry,  they  flirred  up  Periecution,   and  p^^'^^^^-^ 
turned  the  Magiflrate's  Sword  backward, 
and  the  Laws  againfl  the  righteous,  vrhich 
was  alfo  contrary  to  found  Dci^rine,  as  well 
as  the  true   Ufc   and  End   of  good  Laws, 
and  far  from  fulfilling  the  Royal  Law  ac-  Royat 
cording  to  the  Scripture,  which  the  Apoftle  ^'^'  ^^ 
[fames  funis  up  in  thefe  Words,  *  Thou  fhalt  "8- 
love  thy  Neighbour  as  thyfelf :'  Therefore, 
with  what  Juftice  could  thofe  Statutes  be 
put  in  Execution  againfl   our  Friends  for 
theirpeaceabie  Meeting  to  worfliip  God  *  in 
Spirit  and  Truth/  fmce  our  moft  holy  Sa- 
viour and  Bi(hop  of  Souls  declared,  that  the 
'  Father  feeks  fuch  to  worlhip  him.'     And  Joh.  4. 
for  ever  bleifed  and  happy  will  they  be  who  ^3>  H* 
are  found  of  him,   and  willingly  fubmit  to 
his  Requirings,  both  tc^  believe  on  him,  and 
worfhip  him  in  his  own  Spirit,   as  alio  con- 
fcientiouily  to  fuffer  for  his  Name  and  Tef- 
^imony.  ^^^:  - 

So,  dear  Friends,  having  by  the  foregoing 
Hints  briefly  obferved  how  the  material  or  Camai 
carnal  Sword,   invented  by  Men  to  execute  ^^^^[^^ 
their   Wrath    and  Ptevenge  upon  their  Fel-  from'h? 
low-Creatures,   differs  from  the  Sword  of  ]Xt°^ 
Juflice   '  ordained  of  God  for  Punifnment 
of  evil  Doei's,  and  Praife  of  them  that  do 
wfll  'y     as  alfo  having  in  Part  fhewed  our 


Cm] 

Duties  of   Duty,  to  Kings  and  Rulers,   we  come  now 


Children 
and  Pa- 
rents, 
Kph.  6. 
g.  3- 

Col.     Q. 


to  treat  of  thoic  Relations  between  Children 

and  Parents,   Servants  and  Mafters,  whole 

refpcvflive  Duties  each  to  the  other,  are  beft 

exprelfed  in  the  x^poflle's  Words,  who  faid, 

*  Chikh  en,   obey  your  Parents  in  the  Lord, 

fV>r  this   is  right  ;  Honour  thy  Father  and 

Mother,    (which  is  the  firft  Commandment 

witli  Promife)  that  it  may  be  well  with  thee, 

and  thou  may'it  live  long  in  the  Earth.' 

rartnfs  tq       ^j^^  jq  <  Fatlicrs,  provokc  not  your  Chil- 

Eph.G.^i.   drento  Wrath,   left  tliey  be   difcouraged  ; 

Coi.3.ai.  ]3^|-  bring-  them  up  in  the  Nurture  and  Ad- 
Duty  of  .  .     °    ^    ,       T        ,  - 

Sen  ants  to  monition  of  the  Lord. 

E't'T'.'  'Servants,  be  obedient  to  them  that  are 
-  :,  s/  your  Mafters  according  to  the  Flefh,  with 
Fear  and  Trembling,  in  Singlenefs  of  your 
Hearts,  as  unto  Chrift,  not  with  Eye-Ser- 
vice,  as  Men-Pleafers,  but  as  the  Servants- 
of  Chrift^  ;  doing  the  will  of  God  from  the 
Heart,  with  good  Will,  doing  Service  as  to' 
the  Lord,  and  not  to  Men  ;  knowing  that' 
whatioever  good  Thing  any  Man  doth,  the 
fame  Ihall  he  receive  of  the  Lord,  whether 
r,i.  3.  he  be  bond  or  free:  But  he  that  doth 
Wrong,  iliail  receive  for  the  Wrong  which 
he  hath  done  ;  and  there  is  no  RefpeA  of 
Perfons.  Let  as  many  Servants  as  are  un- 
der the  Yoke,  count  their  ov/n  Mafters  v/or- 
thy  of  all  Honour,  that  the  Name  of  God 
and  his  Dodrine  l>e  not  blafphemed.  And 
they  that  have  believing  Malters,  let  them 
n<?t  defpifc  them,becaufe  they  are  Brethren  ; 


Tim.  6. 


[     ^5     J 

but  rather  do  them  Service,  becaufe  they  ur^ 
faithful  and  be^c^ved,    Partakers  of  the  Ee- 
nefit.    Exhort  Servants  to  be  obedient  unto  Tit.  2.  9 
their  own  Mafters,  and  to  pleafe  them  well  '^• 
in  all  Things,  not  aniwering  again,  or  Gain- 
faying  ;    not  piu'loining,    but  fnev/ing   all 
good  Fidelity  ;    that  they  may  adorn  the 
Do£lrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all  Things.' 
And  the  Apoftle  Peter  bids  '  Servants  be  fub- 1  Pe:.  2. 
je<^  to  their  own  Mailers,  with  all  Fear,  not  '^• 
only  to  the  good  and  gentle,  but  alfo  to  tiie 
froward  ;  for  this  is  thank  worthy,  if  a  Man  ~^5- 
for  Confcience  towards  God  endure  Grief, 
fuifering  wrongfully/ 

*  Mailers,    give  unto  your  Servants  that  coi.  4.1. 
which  is  juiL  and  equal,   knowing  alfo  that 
ye  have  a  Maflcr  in  Fleaven,  neither  is  there  zph.  e.  o, 
Refpecn:  of  Peribns  with  him.' 

And  as  the  good  Apofllcs  were  moved  Exhonati- 
in  their  Day,   by  the  Lords  holy  Spirit  thus  °'';^'.J°j,^;'j 
to  exhort,  fo  in  a  Meafure  of  the  fame  Spi-  children. 
rit,   our  Friends  and  Brethren  have  in  this 
Day  been  concerned  to  deilre  th?.t  Parents 
might  be  excm-plary  to  their  Children  in 
Converfation,    and  in  keeping   out   of  the 
vain  Fafhions,    Cufloms   and  Pride   of  the 
World,   by  adorning  themXelves  modefdy, 
and  in  Plainneis,  obferving  the  Sci'ipture- 
Language,     wlierein   is  true    Propriety    of 
Speech  ;    And  that  a  godly  Care  and  Con- 
cern fliould  be  upon  the  Minds  of  all  Parents 
to  watch  over  their  Children  with  Supplica- 
tion to  the  Lord,   that  they  be  not  drawn 


[      ^6      ] 

away  from  the  Iiinocency,  Simplicity,  and 
Plainnefs  of  the  Way  of  Truth,  and  in  a 
Senfe  thereof  to  reach  the  VVitnefs  in  them, 
that  fo  they  might  feel  in  their  own  Spirit  a 
Degree  of  Fear  and  Reverence  towards  God, 
inffcriKfling  them  to  follow  his  Counfel  and 
ceut.  6,  obey  his  Voice  ;  and  as  the  Tribes  o^  Jfrael 
^'  were  required  of  God  to  teach  his  Precepts 

dihgently  unto  their  Children,   and  talk  of 
them  when  they  fate  in  their  Houfes,    and 
v/alked  by  the   Way,   and  when  they  laid 
down,   and  when  they  rifed  up,    fo  fliould 
Parents  be  concerned  to  acquaint  their  Chil- 
dren how  the  Lord  led  them  from  one  De- 
gree of  Faithfulnefs  to  another,  in  a  Denial 
of  the  World's  corrupt  Ways,   Language, 
Refraaory  aud  Cuiloms.     But  if  Children  reje(Sc  their 
Fpi'Ue^"'    l^^i'ents   or  Guardians  Advice,    and   prove 
1691.        refractory,  tliey  are  to  acquaint  the  proper 
Meetings  therewith,    in  Order  to  have  far- 
ther Advice  and  Ailiflance  for  reclaiming 
fuch  Children. 
Parents  not      And  that  all   Parents  be  watchful  over 
Pridf^n    their  Children,    and  careful  not  to  fuiFer 
their  chu- them  to  get  into  Pride  and  Excefs,  but  to 
keep  them  to  that  decent  Plainnefs  which 
becomes  the  People  of  God  ;  that  the  Sin  of 
the  Children  may  not  be  upon  their  Parents, 
nor  they  expofed  to  Ruin  by  their  Parents 
Neglect,  or  evil  Example  in  Word  or  Deed/ 
And  oar  Advice  is,  that  all  Friends  Chil- 
dren have  fo  much  Learning  as  to  read  the  , 
holy  Scriptures  and  other   Englijlo  Books,  | 


C    ^1    3 

and  to  write  and  cail  Accounts  fo  far  as  to  ciiiUrcn 
underftand  fome  necefliary  Rules  in  Arlth-  Learnmg. 
metic,  and  for  that  End  let  the  Rich  help  the 
Poor. 

And  that  Friends  of  all  Degrees  take  due  Children 
Care  to  bring  up  their  Children  to  fome  ufe-  Trud^. 
fal  and  neceiTary   Employment,    that  they 
may  not  fpend  their  precious  Time  in  Idle- 
nefs,   which  is  of  evil  Example,    and  tends 
much  to  their  Hurt. 

And  that  it  is  a  very  evil  Tiling  for  Chil-  ^'^^  [^  a^- 
dren  to  anlwer  their  Parents  croliiy  or  tro-  ^vaiJiy. 
wardly  ;  but  if  they  think  amifs  of  what  is 
propofed  or  fa  id,  they  (houkl  anfv/er  fober- 
}y  and  dutifully  ;  for  Parents  are  to  be  re- 
garded and  obeyed  next  to  God  :  and  if  Pa- 
rents become  poor  or  helplefs,  their  Chil- 
dren ought  according  to  their  Abilities  to 
relieve  and  help  them. 

T      ^-  -    T•\^  A         n  1      ^   Ordinance 

In  tne  next  Place,  v/e  are  to  inew  v/hat  of  Man i^. 
our  Principles  are  cancefnlng  that  holy  Or-  ^s^* 
dinance  of  Marriage,  which  may  be  reduc- 
ed to  thefe  three  Particulars. 

Fird,  v/e  ought  not  to  marry  vdth  tliofe 
who  are  out  of  the  Belief  and  ProfeHion  of 
the  blefTed  *  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jefus,'  or  being 
of  another  Judgment  or  Fellowfliip,  or  pre- 
tending to  the  Truth,  or  making  Profellion 
thereof,  v/alk  not  in  fome  good  Degree  an- 
fvv'erable  thereunto. 

Secondly,  we  ought  not  to  many  by  the 
Priefls,  vrho  take  upon  them  to  join  People 

Q.3 


[       28      2 

in  Marriage,  withont  any  Command  from 
the  Law  of  God,  or  Precedent,  or  Example 
from  the  Holy  Scripture  for  fo  doing. 

Thirdly,  we  ought  not  to  fuffer  fuch  Kind 
of  Marriages  to  pafs  among  us,  which  as  to 
the  Degrees  of  Confanguinity,  x\flinity,,  or 
which  by  Reafon  of  Precontratfl  or  other- 
wife,  are  in  themfelves  unlawful,  or  from 
which  there  may  be  any  jiifl  Kefie^ion  cart 
upon  our  Way. 
A-ain:^  As  to  the  firfl,  we  fay,  that  if  fuch  as: 

wi'hlhofe  make  Profeifion  with  us,  and  believe  in  the 
«f  ciiffercnt  Light,  aud  own  the  Bodlrines  and  Princi- 
pies  ot  Iruth,  concerning  the  Spiritual  Ap-* 
pearance  and  Mauifeflation  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrifl,  fhould  marry  with, 
fuch  as  do  not  fo  profefs  and  believe,  or  with 
fuch  as  profefs  the  Truth,  and  walk  not  in 
fome  good  Degree  anfvverable  thereunto, 
we  cannot  have  Unity  with  fuch  Marriages. 
But  if  any  fhould  think  it  flrange  that, 
we  diflike  joining  in  Marriage  with  thofe . 
that  are  not  of  our  Profellion,  tho'  fome  of 
Mivt  Mar-  them  may  atherwife  be  of  a  civil  Deport- 
ment, we  can  fay  from  the  Tellimony  of 
the  Spirit  of  God  in  our  Hearts,  that  fuch 
mixing  in  Marriages  is  an  unequal  Yoking, 
and  ought  not  to  be  fuifered  amongft  us  ; 
And  if  any  (hould  think  it  lawful,  yet  fome 
know  by  Experience,  that  it  has  not  been 
expedient,  but  very  hurtful,  and  of  ill  Con- 
fequence  to  the  Parties,  as  well  as  a  Grief  to 
their  honeil  Friends  and  llelations,  and  fre- 


ria-.rcs  an 
unequal 
Yokin.^. 


L      -9     1 

quently  ends  in  Vv^qe  and  Ruin  of  them- 
feh^es  and  their  Children. 

x\nd  we  find  that  the  Judgment  of  Tnitli  Gen  ^.4,  4. 
in  the  Patriarchs,  and  Propliets  v/as  againfl  ]%^^'  ^^* 
mixt  Marriages  in  their  Time,  becaufe  of  Neh.  13, 
the  dangerous  Efte^ls. which  attended  them,  ^^" 
in  drawing  God's,  pecuJiar  People  into  cor- 
rupt Language,  Heathenilli  Cuftoms,   grofs 
Idolatry,   and  at  length  into  a  total  .Separa- 
tion from  the  holy  San(fluary,   and  Protec- 
tion of  the  x\lmighty. 

As  to  the  Second  concerning  the  Pricfls  ^Agninftth© 
afTuming  Authority  to  marry,   our  concur-  ufurpcd 
rent  Teitimony  with  all  our  faithful  Bre-  -Authority 
theren  ai:d  Elders,  is,,  and  has  been,,  againfl  ^°"^^"^' 
that  Uiurpation  which  feems  to  be  an  In- 
vention to  get  Money.      And  they  tliem- 
felves  have  confeiFed,  that  it  is  no  part  of 
the  EfTence  of  a  Marriage  :  But  it  is  m.oft 
evident  to  us,  that  (after  the  Confent  of  Pa- pj;;;;;-/,. 
rents  or  Guardians  and  Relations  is  had,  «5cc.agood 
and  other  due  and  orderly  Proceedings  are  "^^"'^^• 
made,  according  to  the  Rules  and  Difcipline 
of  our  religious  Society)  the  mutual  Promife 
and  x\greement  of  the   Parties  before  Wit- 
neiTes  in  our  Meetings  appointed,  for  fuch  .^^."^  ' 
Solemnities,  amounts  to  an  a»Slual  Mamage,  3 Lev  376.. 
which  the  Law  cannot  make  void,   nor  the. 
Parties  themfelves  diiTolve  by  lleieafe,  or 
other  mutual  Agreement. 

Divers  Inflances  might  be  brought  where  Marriages 
Marriages  have  been  adjudged  good  in  Law  Cw,  uvo' 
tho'  they  were  not  folemnized  by  Priefls,  ^oiiokm^ 


C     3'«     } 

for  Brevity  wc  omit  ;  and  fliall  only  mentf-'f 
on  a  Cauie  ^\■ilicU  our  bonoumble  Friend  and: 
elder  Brother  George  Fox  in  his  Journal,  p..' 
ca^e?'scc  ~■^^^'  -^i^  wss  tried  at  the  Aliizes  at  Notting- 
Hale's  Life  ham  in  the  Year  1 66 1 .  The  Cafe  was  thiik'i 
net,  p,' 73!"  Some  Years  before,,  two  Friends  were  ni-ar- 
7i.  ried  among  Friends,  and  lived  together  aS 

Man  and  Wife  about  tvv^o  Years  ;  then  the 
Man  died,  TcavJnj^  his  Wife  v.^ith  Child,  and 
an  Efbte  in  Gopy-hoId-Lands  :  When  the 
V/oman  was  delivered,  the  Jury  prefented 
the  Child  Heir,  v/ho  was  accordingly  admit- 
ted ;  afterwards  qne  that  was  near  of  Kin  to 
the  Child's  Father  bro'ught  that  Suit,  there- 
by intending  to  deprive  the  Child  of  the  In- 
heritance ;  and  to  eifecl  this,  he  v/ould 
prove  the  Child  illegitimate,  alleging  the 
Marriage  \vas  not  according  to  Law.  After 
the  Council  on  bath  Sides  had  done  Plead- 
Xo  Fa-  ^^'g'  J'^^<^''g^  Archer  direvfted  the  Jury  to  find 
voarre  of   the  Child  Heir,  v/hich  they  did  accordins;- 

Quakers       j^^  ^  ^: 

Our  Me-  By  this  we  may  imderftand,  how  far  we 
nlarrvL^.  ^^'^  jufthied  in  the  Method  of  confummating 
our  Marriages  by  mutual  Promifes,  whicll 
are  made  with  much  Awe  and  Reverence,, 
in  the  Prefence  and  Audience  of  God's  Peo- 
ple, at  their  religious  AiTembhes.  But  it  is 
to  be  underitood,  that  tho'"  we  are  prefent 
We  marry  j^*-  i\^ch  Solemnities",  yet  WC  niarry  none,  batv 
are  WitnefTes  thereunto,  "as  afiy 'other  Specr 
tators  may  be..  .  ^  .    ; . . 

Sucr^caioas      We  thus  enlarge  upon  this  Head,-  that 


C    St    3 

none  may  be  impofcd  upon  by  tliofe  who  in-JK»»inft  our 
finuate,    that  fiich  as  are  not  married  by  a  J^^Yr'cd^" 
Priefl,  their  Children  will  be  deemed  illegi- 
timate ;  for  feme  pretending  to  be  of  us, 
believed  thofe  falle  Suggeitions,   or  madeG, f,l> 
Ufc  of  them  to  colom'  their  feliifli  Views, "'  * 
and  finiiler  Ends,  and  lb  far  renounced  the 
Teftimony  of  Truth  as  to  be  married  by  promoters 
Friefts.     Therefore   let  fuch  v/eak  ignoble  pf^^a^n- 
iJpirits,  with  all  thofc  that  promote,   or  are  ?neil tc^ 
prefent  at  any  fuch  MaiTiages,  be  dealt  with  bccenfur- 
and  brought  to  repent  of  tiieir  Out-goings, 
or  be  ccnfured  for  the  farjie. 

As  to  the  third  and  lall  Particular,   it  is  Marriages 
our  Senfe  and  Tudcment,  that  none  amonfl  Y'*''^  ^^'"" 
us  move  or  proceed,    m  Orc'er  to  marry  engaged, 
with  fuch  as  are  pre-engaged  or  contraded  n^afaTif^. 
to  others,   before  they  ai-e  duly  difcharged  nottobc 
orreieafedof  that  Pre-engagement,  and  that''^'°'^^*^^ 
no  fuch  Procedure  be  made  by  fuch  as  are 
within  the    Degrees  of  Ccnfanguinity    or 
Afrinity,   being  not  allowed  by  us,   or  pro- 
hibited by  the  Laws  and  Ufages  of  England. 

We  do  not  in  the  leaft  fuppofe,  by  what  Mamzg-* 
we  objev^  againfl  marrying  by  the  Priefl:,  or  q-' o^'h^lst 
others  differing  from  our  Way,  as  if  their  »^ot  f"pp°- 
Marriages  were  void  ;  neithei'  do  w^  take  *^ 
upon  us  to  hinder  any  to  marry  otherwife 
than  by  tenderly  advifing  fuch  as  are  like  to 
go  contrary  to  our  Difcipline,  and  if  they 
rejedl  our  x\dvicc,  we  rqfufe  to  be  Witnci- 
fes  and  Concurrers  with  them,   and  if  they 
go  right,  and  make  regular  Steps  in  their 


[     3^     ] 

Procedure,  to  the  Satisfadlion  of  the  Meet- 
ings whereto  they  belong/^ we  allow  them 
to  coniammate  their  Marriages  according 
to  the  good  Order  and  Method  which  bur 
Fathers  and  Eiders  in  the  Truth,  did  at  firn: 
eflabhili  in  the  Wifdom  and  Power  of  God. 
Our  Mar.        And  it  has    been   a    conftant  Rule  fmce 
paTth^     Difcipline  was  fidl  fet  up  amongfl  Friends, 
Mens  ?nd  that  all  their  Marriages  &ould  be  laid  before 
Me'l'i^n^s.   the  Mens  and  Womens  Meetings, who  were 
fsz^id  ^*   to  take  Care  that  fuch  as  come  before  theni 
360.   '      were   clear  from  all  otiier  Perfons  on  that 
Account  ;  and  that  no  Man  fnould  fpeak  to 
a  Woman,   in  Order  to  Marriage, before  he 
had  the    Conient   of  his    own  Parents   oi* 
G.^ardians,   and  then  fpoken  to  her  Father 
and  Mother,  and  had  their  Confent  ;   and  if 
fhe  had  no  Parents  alive,   but  Guardians  or 
Truilees,  then  to  fpeak  to  them  and  have 
their  Confent,    and  proceed  accordingly  ; 
and  we  find  the  R-cafon  of  this  was,  for  that 
fome  formerly  did  ipeak  neither  to  Father 
nor  Mother,  till  they  had  drawn  out  and  en- 
tangled the  Aiteftions  of  the  Daughter,  and 
that  brought  great  Troubles  and  Difcontents 
upon  the    Parent,     and   amongft    Friends. 
And  therefore  this  was  to  be   inquired  into 
in  the  Mens  and  Womens  Meetings,  where 
the  Marriages  were  to  be  fpoken  of:  and  fo 
Confent gU  it  is,   or  ought  to  be  amongll  us,   and  if  Pa- 
yennotto  j-euts  or  Guardiaus  liave  cuce  confentcd  or 

be    retract-  i       r«  /•       ,      *    1  i        rr»  1  1 

cd  without  approved  or  iuch  Adarelies,  they  ougat  not 
cr-fe.      ^Q  retrad  the   fame,    without   giving  fuch 


C     33     \ 

Reafons  as  in  the  Judgment  of  the  Month- 
ly Meeting,  whereto  they  belong,  fhall  be 
i.uf]icient  for  fo  doing. 

And  where  Men  and  Women  draw  out 
the  AffciTtions   one  of  another,   and  after  a 
while   go  to  others,    and  then  do  the  like,  ^  y  y 
this  ought  to  be   cenfiu^ed   as  a  fcandaloas  aSi.* 
Frav^ice. 

And  it  hath  been  tlie   early  Care,  and  is  second 
the  decent  Practice  amongft  Friends,  not  to  »"^"'=s"- 
confummate  fecond  Marriages  fooner  than  a 
Year  after  the  Death  of  liulband  or  Wife,  p™;:;^^" 

...  lor  Cnil- 

And  that  before    Widows   are   allowed  to  drcn  by 
marry,  Care  (hould  be  taken  that  P^'ovifion  1°;;^^;^^^^ 
be  made  for  theii*  Children  by  former  Huf- 
bands,   as  Occalion  ma}^  require. 

Dear  Friends ^  v/c  do  )iot  prefcribe  thefe  Superficial 
Rules,   as  thinking  a  bare  fuperficial  Com- fj^^^^^p^'" 
pliance  with  them  to  be  fulHcient,   for  we 
know  a  formal  Hypocrite  may  go  far  that  Hypo- 
Way,  and  not  difcover  himfelf  till  his  Tiu-n  '"'"• 
is  ferved.    Therefore  our  Defires  are,    that 
in  this  important  Affair  of  Marriage, a  godly  farrto'^ 
Care  may  come  upon  all  fuch  as  may  be  con-  ^"o^"'  ^ 
cerned  therein,   as  it  has  been  and   is  upon  jSm'ing 
the  Faithful,  to  know  their  Hearts  and  6'pi- '"  ^^'^^^ 
rits  truly  and,  lincerely  given  up  in  Chaftity  ^^^* 
and  Plifity  of  Love  one  towards  another, 
ivith  a  free  Refignation  to  the  Will  of  God, 
and  lioly  Relblutions  to    ferve,   obey,   and 
follow  him  thro'  the  various  Exercifes,   Dif- 
ficulties and  Trials  whicii  may  attend  them 
in  a  married  ^tate  ;  and  as  they  fcand  in  his 


[  54  : 

Comifel  they  come  to  know  a  holy  joining 
in  Spirit,  and  the  Blelfing  from  above  to  de- 
fcend  upon  them  in  their  Undertaking  ; 
and  when  they  come  to  enter  into  the  Mar- 
riage-Covenant, they  will  according  to  their 
Growth  in  the  blcfTed  Truth,  be  ienilble  of 
God's  heavenly  and  Spiritual  Joining  ;  this 
is  the  Honourable  Marriage  that  is  flinctified 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  owned  by  his 
People. 
j,^^.y  of  And  when  Man  and  Wife  are  thus  *  join-, 

Huibands    q(\  together,  let  no  Man  put  them  afunder  ; 
wtves.       but  let  the  Huiband  love  his  Wife  even  as 
Mat  19, 6.  hinilelf,   and  as   Chrifl  loved  the  Church, 
vcT.  is.^^'  and  not  be  bitter  againft  her  ;  and  let  the 
Col  3, 19.  Wife  reverence  her  Hufband,  and  fubmit 
^  ^'       and  be  fubjecfi:  unto  him  as  is  fit  in  the  Lord.' 
Thus  far  we  think  proper  at  prefent,  to 
colled:  and  lay    down    our  Principles   and 
Pra£life,  in  Order  to  be  publilhed  for  the 
Help  and  Service  of  the  Youth  and  Weak  a- 
mong  ourfelves,    and  for  the  Information 
and  Satisfa£lion  of  others. 

Signed  in  and  by  Order  of  the 
[aid  Meeting  this  i^h  Bay 
■«/■  the   1th  Me.  if 9.2,  by 

Samuel.  Preston. 
FINIS. 


/4 


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'If 


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